The National Highways Authority of India has released a comprehensive document on wildlife mitigation measures and structures as part of efforts to protect animals while expanding highway infrastructure. The release, made during National Wildlife Week in October 2026, outlines how the NHAI integrates wildlife conservation into the planning and construction of national highways across the country.
The document serves as a reference framework for balancing the need for modern highway connectivity with environmental sustainability and the protection of animal habitats along major road corridors.
Key facts
- Rs 19,700 crore invested in wildlife mitigation infrastructure and environmental measures over the past five years
- More than 2,150 wildlife mitigation structures constructed or proposed along national highways
- Rs 4,600 crore spent on animal underpasses
- Rs 650 crore spent on animal overpasses
- Rs 8,300 crore invested in viaducts
- Rs 2,800 crore spent on tunnels
- Rs 2,500 crore spent on major bridges
- Rs 500 crore spent on minor bridges
- Guide fencing and noise barriers installed across over 300 km of highway alignments
- Document released by Minister Nitin Gadkari during Chintan Shivir in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat
What the mitigation structures do
The structures outlined in the NHAI document are designed to address specific problems created by highway construction in wildlife areas. Highways fragment natural habitats, blocking animal movement between different regions and increasing the risk of vehicle collisions. The mitigation structures allow animals to cross highways safely while maintaining the flow of traffic.
The framework includes both structural and non-structural measures. Structural interventions comprise animal underpasses, animal overpasses, culverts modified for animal passage, canopy crossings and specialised crossing structures. Non-structural measures include warning signage, speed regulation boards, guide fencing, noise barriers, reptile crossings and rainwater harvesting systems designed to improve habitat conditions near highways.
How mitigation planning works
The NHAI’s approach to wildlife protection is tailored to the specific ecological conditions and animal movement patterns of each highway corridor. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution, planners assess the ecological sensitivity of the area, study which species use the route, and design structures that suit both the engineering requirements of the highway and the needs of local wildlife.
The NHAI has also set up camera trapping systems to monitor how animals use these crossing structures and to evaluate whether the mitigation measures are effective. Wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots are identified along highways, and additional safety measures such as speed boards and warning signs are placed in these areas to reduce risks to both animals and human users.
Collaboration between conservation and development
The document emphasises the importance of working with conservation experts and environmental agencies during all stages of highway development. This collaborative approach ensures that wildlife protection measures are built into projects from the planning stage onwards, rather than being added later as an afterthought. The NHAI also works to meet statutory environmental compliance requirements alongside its infrastructure development goals.
What this means for you
If you live near or travel on national highways, these measures aim to reduce animal-vehicle collisions that can be dangerous for both wildlife and people. The speed regulation boards and warning signs are intended to alert drivers to areas where animals frequently cross. For citizens concerned with environmental conservation, the framework shows how India’s highway expansion programme is attempting to balance infrastructure development with protection of biodiversity and animal habitats.
The document is publicly available on the NHAI website for researchers, environmental consultants, highway planners and conservation professionals who want to understand the standards and practices being followed in this area.